From Maurice Okafor, Enugu.
A former commissioner for lands in Enugu state, Deacon Okey Ogbodo,who currently is the Deputy Director General(East) Enugu State PDP Campaign Organisation, has said that the PDP Governorship candidate,Dr Peter Mbah,s econominic blue print for development as contained in his manifesto is for real economic rejuvination of the state.
Deacon Okey who stood in for Dr Peter Mbah at the occassion of public presentation of a policy dialogue for development of Enugu state anchored by “Hilltop Club Abuja” , a group of concerned citizens of the state, appraised their presentation as similar to Dr Mbah,s economic blue print for the state, already unveiled to the public.
Ogbodo commended the Hilltop Club for thinking home, appraising that such policy dialogue is best at this moment the state is about to elect it,s new crop of political leaders.
He stressed that most of the high points in the presentation including reviving the agriculture sector, creating enabling environment for industrialisation, rural development among others, are major highlights of Dr Mbah,s manifesto.
Deacon Ogbodo stated,” There is no better time for this kind of dialogue in Enugu state than now.While listening to the presentation, i observed lots of similarities to what our governorship candidate, Dr Peter Mbah, has already accommodated in his manifesto. Beyond politics, Dr Peter Mbah,s articulated development plan will revolutionise the agricultural secto and encourage industrial growth”‘
“Mbah is coming into governance to turn a new leaf in development of Enugu state while consolidating on the achievements of our previous leaders.Mbah has assured that his administration will raise the Gross Domestic Product(GDP) of the state from 4.4m dollars to 30m dollars before the end of his administration. This assurance is beyond politics. He will bring his experience and exposure as a successful business man in the private sector to bear in developing Enugu state”.
Earlier in his key note address, Prof Barth Nnaji, advocated for visionary leadership as key point for economic rediscovery of the Igbo nation vis avis Enugu state.
He recalled that the visionary leadership of late Michael Okpara in the defunt Eastern region with Enugu as capital, invented both agricultural and industrial revolution of which the region was acknowledged as one of the fastest growing economy in the world.
Prof Nnaji lamented dearth of industries in Enugu and other parts of Igbo land with negative effect that when our Youths graduate, they will start roaming other cities in other parts of the country in search of jobs, because hardly do you find flourishing industries that creates job opportuoities across the South East zone, Enugu state inclusive.
Speaking earlier, the chairman of Hilltop club Abuja, Chief Chis Okafor,explained that the club holds Enugu on high esteem as most of the members were either born, raised up or had part of their education in Enugu state, even as the town remains the capital of Igbo land.
He stated,”Hiltop Club Abuja decided to organise this policy dialogue in Enugu state of our dream as an agenda setting for Enugu state,s development. This is our humble way of providing a roadmap for an orderly and comprehensive development of our state”.
